Notes from the Opening Reception

The opening reception marked the first time this work stepped beyond the studio. Throughout the evening, the space filled slowly as friends, family, and visitors drifted in at their own rhythm, taking their time with each piece. The room held a calm, steady energy shaped by conversations about the garments and the processes behind them.

Many of those conversations focused on the materials themselves — the fine quality of handmade Oshima Tsumugi silk, the quiet brightness of Shiro Oshima, and the raw earthiness of up-cycled dorozome-dyed leather. Speaking about the past lives of the kimonos, and the labor and attention carried by the hands of so many artisans felt grounding and meaningful.

Hearing others connect with the small details in each piece reaffirmed why this practice exists at all — to give these kimono textiles another presence in their second life.

What made the evening especially meaningful wasn’t the number of people who attended, but the sincerity they brought with them. Family who have supported this work from the beginning stood alongside friends who have witnessed each stage of its making. Visitors arrived with open questions and a genuine curiosity that made the night feel intimate and quietly celebratory.

Thank you to everyone who came. Sharing this work and keeping these textiles alive through careful remaking, means more than words can hold.